Coastal Living Ultimate Beach House

He feels he's accomplished that in the 3,100-square-foot Coastal Living Ultimate Beach House, open for tours now through Nov. 27 in East Beach, a Chesapeake Bay-front neighborhood on Shore Drive in Norfolk. The home, built by Coastal Living magazine, is the publication's 25th designer house and will be featured in its October issue.

To explain his approach, Mouzon uses the idea of seating six comfortably at a built-in dinette booth that takes up less than 50 square feet compared to the 180 square feet needed to accommodate a dining table and chairs for six.

He also wants to build houses where three generations can co-exist as their ages and needs change. First- and second-floor master suites add flexibility. For example, an upstairs master suite allows parents with young children to sleep there until the kids are teens and the parents want to move to a more private master suite downstairs. When aging elders need a place to stay, the parents can go back upstairs. When the elders are gone, the parents, now older themselves, can head back downstairs.

Even the kids' rooms can be utilized in different ways as the children mature and the needs of the residents change over time.

"That's the way old homesteads were done," says Mouzon of Miami.

"Homes were occupied by the same family for generations."

Although the house is designed by Mouzon, it's built locally by Simpson Builders, which includes Page Simpson and Mary Dolph Simpson, as well as interior designer Phoebue Howard. The company, based in Norfolk, has also done Homearama showcase homes in the Virginia Beach area. Proceeds from the $10 admission benefit St. Mary's Home for Disabled Children in Norfolk.

When you enter the house, you feel stresses and strains just melt away. Beach thinking takes over. Walls and accents in the rooms are done in pale sea glass colors — not bright beach ball colors — leaving you relaxed and in vacation mode 24/7.

Slipcovers in blues, greens and white, protected with a stain-resistant finish, cover chairs and sofas, including four two-person benches at the table in the dining room.

At first, you may think this an odd accent to place in an upscale beach cottage, but the sea glass-colored flip-flops ensconced in clear frames fit the mood and laid-back décor perfectly. Seashells in lamps, on mirrors and on boxes make you think of sand and surf.

Nothing is overpowering and too cutesy beach looking — just clean and simple with a breath of fresh air.

The kitchen, living, dining and breakfast areas open to each other, providing a good flow for entertainment needs. The kitchen features stainless steel appliances, quartz counters and tall country-style cabinets, with plenty of space for several people to work at one time.

A mud room with pet washing station leads you to one of four long, wide porches that give the house plenty of outdoor rooms. Dwarf crape myrtles and trees scaled to stay small provide privacy for a patio that features a grill, fireplace and comfy seating.

The master suite's sleeping space trends on the small side, but extras add spaciousness. A wine chiller and reading/computer nook tucked under the staircase going upstairs uses space that would otherwise be wasted. The closet and bath are all you would ever want or need. A private porch off the suite gives you a place to sit and enjoy waterfront breezes in the quietness of your quarters.

Upstairs, the master bedroom is lighter and airier with walls of windows that see to the Chesapeake Bay, which is just across the street. Lie in bed and watch the ships, or slip on a robe and step onto the two-sided porch that captures the sights. A bath and walk-in closet complete the suite, which is just down the hall from the children's rooms.

The future third floor is 814 square feet of unfinished space that can be done later. A finished, multi-purpose carriage house studio over the two-car garage features a full kitchen, bath and living/sleeping area in 423 square feet, all accessible by private stairs at the back of the house.

Price to kick back here? $899,000. Add another $325,000 and you move only your clothes.

Take the tour

What: Coastal Living Ultimate Beach House, the magazine's 25th designer home showcasing coastal lifestyles — coastalliving.com; the magazine will feature the house in its October issue.